Marine Education Center Announces New “Educational Vacations” for Fall

TO: News editors, directors

WHAT:  The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory’s Marine Education Center is proud to announce the fall schedule of workshops for the public. These Explore a Seashore workshops are like educational vacations for people who want a better understanding of their coastal habitat. 

WHERE: Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

                 703 East Beach Drive

                 Ocean Springs, MS 39564

WHEN:All of the programs have a Friday evening session from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. with a Saturday session from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., unless otherwise noted. The fall programs are:

·         Art and Science on Horn Island, September 28^th & 29^th

·         Human Diseases from the Coastal Ocean, October 12^th & 13^th

·         Insights into Parasites of the Sound, October 26^th & 27^th

·         Weathering the Storm,  November 17^th (Saturday only)

 SPECIFICS: In these exciting programs, individuals and families can explore the rich diversity and dynamic landscape of the Northern Gulf of Mexico coast. The Explore a Seashore programs are designed to stimulate scientific thinking and appreciation for the marine ecosystem. They enable participants to see the complex beauty in our marine resources and understand the key role they play in our economy and our lifestyles. The idea is to teach participants new ways to live in harmony with local habitats and natural processes.

This series of family educational experiences is designed to address the four focus areas of Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium:

• Safe and Sustainable Seafood Supply
• Hazard Resilience in Coastal Communities
• Healthy Coastal Ecosystems

·         Sustainable Coastal Development

The fee for most courses is $20 and includes lunch.  The fee for Art and Science on Horn Island is $50 for members of the Walter Anderson Museum of Art and $65 for non-members.  

Programs are appropriate for adults and their children aged 12 and up.  Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

CEU credits are available for teachers.  Teachers obtain CEUs by requesting them on the application and completing registration paperwork during the session. Participating teachers may receive CEUs by requesting them on the application.

For additional information: http://www.usm.edu/gcrl/mec/explore.a.seashore.php

CONTACT: Martha Brown, 228.669.8612 or 228.872.4254, martha.brown@usm.edu